[IND-Distribution]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Being a car enthusiast in the 21st century brings with it an interesting duality: one typically develops a love for technology and science in a pursuit of better understanding of a modern car’s systems, but the more science a modern car enthusiast understands in pursuit of their hobby, the more one is confronted with a stark reality: burning fossil fuels for personal transportation has been a science experiment conducted by billions of people on a global scale, with consequences that are uncertain at best and absolutely dire at worst.

The realities of internal combustion are not lost on BMW, and although no auto maker in the world loves the sports car more than BMW, the brand has embraced alternative fuels, electric vehicles, and hybrids. Since BMW’s early attempts at hydrogen burning engines in their Hydrogen 7 concept, BMW engineers have resolutely pursued the future of the automobile.

The advent of BMW’s i vehicles has ushered in a new era of environmentally conscious technology. It should come as no surprise that the BMW version of the environmentally friendly automobile is not simply an appliance made only for commuting, but rather a machine with soul that expresses passion and a love for the automobile, even while standing still. Ultra high efficiency electric and hybrid cars are here to stay, and all of us at IND are grateful that BMW has taken on the challenge.

As always, when BMW breaks new ground, we at IND do our best to follow suit. We have done everything possible to create new parts for the i3 and i8 cars with our technology partners, and are working hard to create a full host of components designed to help the BMW i enthusiast personalize their cars. IND’s i program is expanding steadily, and we are proud to introduce our interpretations of the BMW i.

IND i3:
IND painted reflectors
3D Design front lip, gloss black
Gloss black foglight surrounds
Gloss black front bumper slats
Carbon fiber mirror caps
Gloss black grille surrounds

Cobra lowering springs

HRE 303 M wheels, ilectric blue outer barrel and face, gloss charcoal inner barrel

IND i8:
IND painted reflectors

Cobra lowering springs

HRE S101 wheels, gloss charcoal outer barrel and face, ilectric blue inner barrel

[MalibuBimmer]

So Bimmperpost allows advertising in the forums?

As for the i8, the three things you offer aren't practical or attractive.

First, blocking out a safety device is problematic, both from a legal and a liability perspective. Second, lowering the front lip would be catastrophic for those of us who live in areas with less than perfectly maintained roads (like all of the U.S.). And third, the blue wheels are hideous and different wheels for the sake of being different doesn't seem to cut it. Especially when BMW has designed the wheels on the i8 specifically for the i8. The W and turbine wheels are unique. Yours aren't.

[jcpca356]

I like the look of the i3 though!

[IND-Distribution]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

So Bimmperpost allows advertising in the forums?

As for the i8, the three things you offer aren't practical or attractive.

First, blocking out a safety device is problematic, both from a legal and a liability perspective. Second, lowering the front lip would be catastrophic for those of us who live in areas with less than perfectly maintained roads (like all of the U.S.). And third, the blue wheels are hideous and different wheels for the sake of being different doesn't seem to cut it. Especially when BMW has designed the wheels on the i8 specifically for the i8. The W and turbine wheels are unique. Yours aren't.

Thank you for the feedback!

IND Distribution has been a vendor on BimmerPost from about 2006 forward- almost since the forum's inception! All of us at IND have loved BMW cars (and modifying them) since the late 90s, and we pride ourselves in offering solutions for all BMW cars. Certainly not all solutions are for all people, but that is the joy of customizing BMW's wonderful vehicles- what works for some does not work for others, and it is a pleasure to modify a vehicle to your specific tastes.

The i3 is our personal shop car, and as people who work in the industry, we did certainly take some liberties in selecting an impactful color scheme, and a lower overall ride. The i8 is owned by one of our clients, and has taken the slightly more conservative route. One of my favorite aspects of the HRE wheels for the i3 and i8, however, is that they were carefully measured to be the correct width and offset for the cars- each set of wheels carefully preserves the driving dynamics of both cars. I personally love both choices!

I'm glad to see that you love the i8 as much as we do.

Originally Posted by jcpca356

I like the look of the i3 though!

Thank you! We feel that this car is a fun entry into the electric car market. One can clearly see that BMW took some liberties with the design, and did not intend to create a boring or conservative vehicle. We ran with this on our end, and had fun modifying the car to our tastes.

[KKSigs]

Love the look guys great job!!!

[MalibuBimmer]

I'm one of those people who wants to drive my car, not creep up to a parking space at a weekend car show and pretend that I drive. Drivers can't have front ends lower than what we'ef got on the i8. Anybody who does is fooling himself.

Posuers can have lower front ends. Real drivers? No.

[Tiago@VRSF]

Looks great guys, can't believe how thin those i3 wheels are!

I love the accents on the barrels.

[YWGT3]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

I'm one of those people who wants to drive my car, not creep up to a parking space at a weekend car show and pretend that I drive. Drivers can't have front ends lower than what we'ef got on the i8. Anybody who does is fooling himself.

Posuers can have lower front ends. Real drivers? No.

Having driven stock carbon fiber cars (Lamborghini Gallardo and Ferrari F430), I can attest to the painful process (transport cars to SoCal, flying doctor and other related costs associated with carbon fiber bodywork) of carbon fiber repair to even consider lowering the front end of the i8. While the lowered spring concept is appealing on the surface, it is an invitation for unintended consequences for sports cars (especially ones constructed in carbon fiber material) faced with real world road conditions. Lowered springs is better suited for the weekend driver who wishes to flat bed the vehicle to a track for the occasional adrenalin thrill.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so the following video (one of several examples on youtube) depicts the challenges for carbon fiber cars with low clearance:

.

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

I respect IND offering mods for everything, but I really hope this i aftermarket program fails miserably. It goes against the very idea of environmental consciousness... Using just what you need; nothing more. Fail. :

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

I respect IND offering mods for everything, but I really hope this i aftermarket program fails miserably. It goes against the very idea of environmental consciousness... Using just what you need; nothing more.

What's wrong with personalizing it? Ease up. I think it's a little loud for my taste but the gloss black surrounds are nice

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

What's wrong with personalizing it? Ease up. I think it's a little loud for my taste but the gloss black surrounds are nice

Mods aren't "green."
How many carbon credits do I have to buy to offset those mods?

[sdshah]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

I respect IND offering mods for everything, but I really hope this i aftermarket program fails miserably. It goes against the very idea of environmental consciousness... Using just what you need; nothing more. Fail. :

Get off the forums then. Some people don't give a crap about the environment or how much carbon fiber takes to repair. IND is suppose to give us options on all cars. If you fail to see that you don't know anything about the market of car buyers.

No one needs to give a reason to personalize a car. Your thought process is completely flawed.

Btw a 198k car even if it is a plug in hybrid isn't so environmentally conscious. If that was the case that money would be going to more pressing environmental issues. Spare us please.

[M3 Number 86]

So this is prius aftermarket. can't imagine anyone who gets an i3 saying I need iND parts! lols.

[Ghostriderf80]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

So Bimmperpost allows advertising in the forums?

As for the i8, the three things you offer aren't practical or attractive.

First, blocking out a safety device is problematic, both from a legal and a liability perspective. Second, lowering the front lip would be catastrophic for those of us who live in areas with less than perfectly maintained roads (like all of the U.S.). And third, the blue wheels are hideous and different wheels for the sake of being different doesn't seem to cut it. Especially when BMW has designed the wheels on the i8 specifically for the i8. The W and turbine wheels are unique. Yours aren't.

Let people be individual. That is why we modify cars, and the orange reflector looks terrible in all BMWs and I have no idea why it is there in the NA, but not in EU. Its not like you're poorly lit.

[inFamousKicks]

Love the attempts on both, but the wheels on the i3 are a bit too loud for me. The i8 on the other hand is very tasteful imo

[Gil@McKennaPerformance]

Great work on both cars!
Personally I love the stance on the i8

Keep up the great work

[Merked M3]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

So Bimmperpost allows advertising in the forums?

As for the i8, the three things you offer aren't practical or attractive.

First, blocking out a safety device is problematic, both from a legal and a liability perspective. Second, lowering the front lip would be catastrophic for those of us who live in areas with less than perfectly maintained roads (like all of the U.S.). And third, the blue wheels are hideous and different wheels for the sake of being different doesn't seem to cut it. Especially when BMW has designed the wheels on the i8 specifically for the i8. The W and turbine wheels are unique. Yours aren't.

I don't think it is very tasteful to instantly bash someone's photo debut. I am just curious what are you trying to accomplish by leading with negativity? Being that this is a BMW fan site, most people like this kind of stuff. I would consider spreading the negativity elsewhere.

But freedom of expression in the US, so I did want to thank you for your input on legal and liability compliance.

[MidnightM3]

Looks great and the pics/post are appreciated. Always good to see shops taking unique risks and pushing the limit. There will always be haters. Keep up the good work IND.

[MalibuBimmer]

Originally Posted by Merked M3

I don't think it is very tasteful to instantly bash someone's photo debut. I am just curious what are you trying to accomplish by leading with negativity? Being that this is a BMW fan site, most people like this kind of stuff. I would consider spreading the negativity elsewhere.

But freedom of expression in the US, so I did want to thank you for your input on legal and liability compliance.

Oh. My error. I didn't know that this was a thread for praise only.

Thank you for correcting me. Perhaps you could also help me on future threads by telling me what is expected of me.

[Murph335]

I love creativity turning to the I series.
For me i3 just so ugly for $40k ish. No fender curves! I am on board with the tesla philosophy that electric cars can look high end and don't have to be econobox ugly. I was really disappointed in Bmw design just making an expensive leaf/Prius.

IND did a great job trying to polish the i3. I8 looks the best it could be.

I am a huge fan of modded and stanced cars which means 45 degree angle when approaching bumps and some driveways.

The value of electric cars to performance enthusiasts is the cloud plate or carpool lanes in rush hour traffic. Most look so stupid I wouldn't even consider them.

Companies like IND are working to make these at least look awesome which any enthusiast already has had this thought while sitting in traffic. (Hmm how much offset and tires can the fenders of Prius, leaf, tesla, etc really take?) Confident their M customers will look to IND to customize their commuter i series to cut the commute m-f!

I bet IND would crush a p85D project!

Bravo IND!

[KKSigs]

Individualizing your car is what's all about. What ever makes the owner happy is the most important. People will always have their opinions good or bad. IND is here to give people options. I bought my i8 cause love the car but I will make it the way I like it. Great Job guys!!!!

[Enilder]

Man, no matter what you do, i3 is still ugly.